Method for treatment of filaments



July 4, 1950 J. A. TRUITT METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF FILAMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1945 j a. .ZJNVENTOR.

y 4, 1950 J. A. TRUITT 2,513,381

METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF FILAMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1945 INVENTOR.

' 47 MAM Patented July 4, 1950 METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF FILAMENTS Joseph A. Truitt, West Chester, Pa., assignor to American Viscose Corporation,

Wilmington,

Del., a corporation of Delaware Application December 6, 1945, Serial No. 633,086

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improved methods for the liquid treatment of continuously running filaments, yarns, tows and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in the liquid treatment of running yarns and the like as they are carried through a helical path, such as the path followed by the yarn as it is carried about a thread-advancing, thread-storage device or reel. The objects of the invention are accomplished by supplying the liquid inwardly of the helix and causing it to flow outwardly through the helix by centrifugal force, the liquid discharged from the helix being either withdrawn directly or caused to continuously play upon the helix as it is moved axially therealong to one or more suitable discharge regions spaced axially from each other about the helix. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawing and the description thereof hereinafter.

In the drawing which is illustrative of the embodiments of the invention,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line IIII of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the spraydistributing device shown in Figure 1, I

Figure 4 is a transverse section showing a mode ification of reel bar structure,

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a modification,

Figure 6 is an axial transverse cross-section of a modified form of guard of the type shown in Figure 5,

Figure 6a is a section on line A-A of Figure 6,

Figure 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic transverse section through a modification providing countercurrent flow, and

Figure 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional elevation of a modified arrangement.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3, the filamentary strand 2 to be treated is shown proceeding to the lower end of the supporting bars of a thread-advancing reel comprising a concentric reel member 3 having a plurality of grooves 4 formed therein, thereby leaving a set of rigid concentric thread-supporting bars 5 on the member. The concentric member is mounted for rotation by a hollow shaft 6 provided with a driving sheave 1 and rotatably supported in a stationary frame 8. Frame 8 carries a projecting bearing 9 about which there is provided a bushing ID having a peripheral bearing surface the axis of which is eccentric and inclined with respect to the axis of the concentric member 3.

Upon this eccentric and inclined bearing surface a second reel member 3 comprising a flange H and a plurality of peripheral spaced bars i2 is mounted. The bars l2 are disposed within the grooves 4 of the concentric member 3 with sufilcient play to allow actuation thereof by virtueof the eccentric and inclined bearing. The upper ends of the bars l2 may be reinforced by a plate' l3. Pins 3p extend downwardly from concentric reel member 3 into recesses 31' in the eccentric reel member 3', these pins and recesses serv"- ing to transmit the rotation of the driven concentric member 3 to the eccentric member 3'.

An annular shroud or skirt [4 is carried at the lower end of the concentric member 3 and serves to deflect any liquids flowing down that member into an annular groove or recess l5 within the.

flange ll of the eccentric or reel member. A plurality of downwardly directed bores I 6 connect the recess IE to the outer portion of the flange and direct the liquids therethrough' intoa guard or receptacle I! carried by the frame 8.: A second shroud or skirt I8 carried by the flange ll prevents any liquid from getting back'to the bearing I 0.

Two concentric pipes l9 and 20 extend through i the hollow shaft 6 and have little or no contact therewith. The outer pipe l9 receives liquid through a T-connection 2! with a communicat-w ing pipe 22 and discharges the liquid received.

through a plurality of bores 23 in the upper end of the pipe which terminates about midwayof the height of the reel. The inner pipe 20 carries a radial spray nozzle 24 and directs the liquid outwardly to the annular sawtooth baffle 25 shown more particularly in perspective in Figure 3. This baffle may be carried upon an annular-Tv partition or plate 26 secured and extending transversely within the concentric reel member 3 and dividing the reel member into two distinct treating zones. The outer pipe [9 may carry a shroud 21 which overhangs the inner upwardly project-, ing flange 28 of the guard plate 29 carried by the ,1 concentric reel member 3. The concentric, reel member 3 is provided with bores 30 extending from the inside to the outer periphery of the. bars,

5 thereof. The bores may have any suitable di-' shown theyare indicated as being radial.

liquid from the helix carried by the bars and I2 of the reel. An annular receptacle 32 is supported on the frame 8 and opens inwardly in proximity to the helix so as to receive liquids discharged therefrom. An annular partition or plate 33 may be provided to maintain the liquids discharged from a zone of the helix thereabove separate from that discharged from the zone 01 the helix therebelow and in this case separate discharge pipes 34 and 35 may be provided for the separate compartments of the guard 32.

The embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 thus pro-- vides for a two-stage treatment of the yarn conveyed as a helix about the periphery of the reel, the liquid supplied by pipe 22 serving as the first stage of treatment and that supplied by pipe serving as the second stage of the treatment of liquids. Additional stages of treatment may be provided by supplying additional concentric pipes or if desired by introducing a liquid to the topmost zone of the reel from a spray nozzle extending downwardly into the zone surrounded by the upper portion of the reel. The spacing of the successive convolutions of yarn in the helix may be controlled (by adjusting the inclination and/or eccentricity of the axis of the eccentric and inclined reel member) toarrange them close together and preferably in contact, so that as the liquid is forced outwardly by centrifugal force resulting from rapid rotation of the reel, it is forced to flow through the yarn to a greater extent than through the interstices or spaces between the convolutions of the helix. As the reel rotates, the yarn in the helix alternately shifts from one set of bars on the concentric reel member to the other set on the cocentric reel member so that there is full op portunity for the liquid to reach all portions of the helix as the helix moves about the annular zone constituted by each treating stage. The bores through the reel members and bars likewise increase the thoroughness of distribution of liquid upon the helix. Distribution may also be satisfactorily effected by changing grooves 4 into slots which communicate with the interior of the concentric member 3.

Figure 4 illustrates a modification of the bar cross-section. In this figure, it is assumed that the reel rotates in the direction indicated b the arrow and the concentric member 3 is provided with yarn-supporting bars 5a the outer portion of which is turned backwardly from a radial direction. Similarly, the intervening bar s. 52a of the eccentric reel member have outer portions which are backwardly deflected from the radial. This construction serves to deflect the liquid in a manner which causes it to flowback under the, yarns even where carried in contact I with the bars. (the backward direction referring to the direction of rotation of the reel).

In Figure 5, a liquid-treating reel is shown on a horizontal axis instead of a vertical as in Figure 1 and a single stage of liquid treatment is shown. The reel is similar .in construction to that shown in Figure 1. In general, however, it is simpler in that the member H which is mounted on the eccentric and inclined bearing I0 is not provided with the recess l5, bores 85 and shroud l8. as in Figure 1. However, mem ber carries the bars l2 which are reinforced at their outer end by an annular plate l3a having the central opening 36 adapted to receive the liquid supply pipe 31. The wells mounted.

upon a solid shaft 6 rotatably supported in the stationary frame 8 which carries the projecting 4 bearing 9. A flexible sealing membrane 38 is joined to the concentric member 3 and the cocentric member H to prevent liquids from getting back to the bearing I0. Perforations 30 and 3| are provided as in Figure 1. The guard 32a may be similar to that shown in Figure 1, but as shown preferably comprises a central portion having an internal deflecting surface 39 which is close to but does not engage the yarn helix carried by the reel. Grooves or recesses 40 and 4| are provided in the housing 32a for receiving liquid thrown off the reel and discharged from the space between it and the internal surface 39 of the guard. Liquid discharge connections 42 and 43 may be provided to a common drain pipe 44. As shown, the liquid supply pipe 37 extends a considerable distance inside the reel and is provided with perforations =45 for spraying the liquid within the reel. Instead of this arrangement, the pipe 31 may terminate in a nozzle pointing into the opening 36 of the plate |3a so that a single jet of liquid is directed from the nozzle into the interior of the reel, thereby relying upon the centrifugal force exerted by the driving of the reel to cause the liquid to flow outwardly through the bores 3!! and 3| therein to the yarn helix.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the reel is driven at such a speed as to cause the liquid to flow outwardly through the bars of the reel under the influence of centrifugal force. Again, as in Figure 1, the adjacent convolutions of the helix may be closely spaced, preferably in side-by-side contact so that the largest body of liquid has to go through the yarn rather than through the interstices between adjacent convolutions of yarns in the helix. The peripheral surface 33 surrounding the intermediate portion of the yarn helix maintains the liquid in contact with the yarn as a continuously flowing body thereof which continually plays upon the yarn helix as the helix rotates within the surface 39. precise action of the liquid deflected by the surface 39 upon the yarn helix depends somewhat upon the spacing of the surface 39 from the helix. If this spacing is quite small of the order of 1% of an inch or less, the liquid discharge from the helix forms a continuous sheet which is maintained against the helix by the surface 39. This sheet is continuouslyreplenished from inside the reel and flows laterally outwardly to the recesses 40 and 4| from which it is finally discharged. If the spacing is wider of the order of 4; inch or more, the liquid thrown from the helix strikes the surface 39 and splashes back upon the helix in the form of a spray. Again, the liquid is continually supplied from inside the reel and gradually flows to the recesses 40 and 4| at the ends of the guard 32a. Regardless of which construction is used, a highly effective liquid-treating action is obtained. The liquid may be caused to flow preferentially toward one or the other of the recesses 40 and 4| by suitably grooving the internal surface 39. Such grooving may take the form of rifling 39' as shown in Figures 6 and 6a.

In Figure 7, the internal surface 39a is tapered or conical with the larger diameter toward the grooves being adapted to receive the bars of the I eccentric and inclined member l. 'However, the

member 31 is'provided with a liquid-receiving The l cavity of somewhat more limited depth as measured from the free end ofthe reel and the perforations 3D and 3| are provided in a limited annular zone of the reel toward its outer end and within the smaller diameter of the conical surface 39a. Liquid is introduced by the nozzle 31a and flows through the perforations 30 and '3l to the helix of the material. Because of the tapered configuration of the surface 39a the liquid flows mainly toward the larger diameter end thereof and is mainly discharged from the collecting recess 40. The yarn may be supplied at thesupported end of the reel and withdrawn at the free end of the reel in order to provide a countercurrent liquid treatment action. The annular collecting groove 4 I' may receive a certain amount of liquid splashed into it from the smaller end of the conical surface 39a of the guard. In this embodiment, as well as in the others, a suction pump 50 may be associated with each of the collecting recesses or grooves 40 and 4| to facilitate the withdrawal of the spent liquid. It is obvious that a concurrent liquid treatment may be obtained by introducing the liquidthrough perforations in a limited annulus of the reel toward its supported end and arranging the conical surface 39a with the larger diameter toward the free end of the reel.

In Figure 8 a vertically disposed reel comprising the concentric member 3 and the eccentric member ll similar in construction to the corresponding parts of Figure 1 is shown positioned within a conical guard 46 for directing the liquid discharged from the reel to a suitable drain 41.

In this embodiment, the liquid may simply be directed downwardly into the cavity of the reel by means of a nozzle 48.

The liquid-treating units illustrated in the various figures of the drawing may be arranged in multiple stage machines. Thus, a plurality of the vertically arranged units of Figure l or 8 may be disposed at successive points along a horizontal line or in succeeding steps up or down in a common vertical plane. Similarly, a plurality of units of the type shown in Figure 5 may be arranged along a vertical line or along a horizontal line so that the yarn may travel either up or down through the devices arranged in the vertical line or in a lateral direction from unit to unit along the horizontally aligned units.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The apparatus disclosed herein is being claimed in my divisional application Serial No. 23,511 filed April 2'7, 1948.

I claim:

1. The method of treating filamentary material with liquid comprising continuously passing the material through a generally helical path with each convolution thereof making contact with adjacent convolutions, introducing a liquid into the it outwardly through the helix by centrifugal force, and distributing the liquid throughout the entire circumference of a predetermined band or zone of the helix, and confining the liquid thrown outwardly from the helix to a region adjacent the helix.

3. The method of treating filamentary material with liquid comprising continuously :passing the material through a generally helical path with each convolution thereof making contact with adjacent convolutions, introducing a liquid into the space surrounded by the helix, rotating the liquid within the helix at suffioient speed to force it outwardly through the helix by centrifugal force, and deflecting the liquid flowing outwardly from the helix back toward it.

4. The methodof treating filamentary material with liquid comprising continuously passing the material through a generally helical path with each convolution thereof making contact with adjacent convolutions, introducing a liquid into the space surrounded by the helix, rotating the liquid within the helix at sufficient speed to force it outwardly through the helix by centrifugal force, distributing the liquid throughout the entire circumference of a predetermined band or zone of the helix, and causing the liquid flowing outwardly of the helix to continually play thereupon.

5. The method of treating filamentary material with liquid comprising continuously passing the material through a generally helical path with each convolution thereof making contact with adjacent convolutions, introducing a liquid into the space surrounded by the helix, rotating the liquid within the helix at suflicient speed to force it outwardly through the helix by centrifugal force, and distributing the liquid throughout the entire circumference of a predetermined band or zone of the helix, causing the liquid flowing outwardly of the helix to continually play thereupon as a substantially continuous sheet, and causing liquid to be discharged laterally from such sheet.

6. The method of treating filamentary material with liquid comprising continuously passing the material through a generally helical path with each convolution thereof making contact with adjacent convolutions, introducing a liquid into the space surrounded by the helix, rotating the liquid within the helix at sufficient speed to force it outwardly through the helix by centrifugal force, and distributing the liquid throughout the entire circumference of a predetermined band or zone of the helix, and causing the liquid flowing outwardly of the helix to continually play thereupon as a substantially continuous sheet, and causing liquid to be discharged laterally at both sides from such sheet.

7. The method of treating filamentary material with liquid comprising continuously passing the material through a generally helical path with each convolution thereof making contact with adjacent convolutions, introducing a liquid into the space surrounded by the helix, rotating the liquid within the helix at sufiicient speed to force it outwardly through the helix by centrifugal force, distributing the liquid throughout the entire circumference of a predetermined band or zone of the helix, and deflecting the liquid flowing outwardly from the helix back toward it.

8. The method of treating filamentary material with liquid comprising continuously passing the material through a generally helical path with each convolution thereof making contact with adjacent convolutions, introducing a liquid into the space surrounded by the helix, rotating the liquid a the helix to continually play thereupon as asubstanti'ally continuous sheet, and causing liquid to? be discharged. laterallyfrom: such sheet, the mag or portion of the liquid discharged from" such sheet being: discharged from that end thereof nearer. the position ofentrance of the filamentary material into=the helical path.

7 9; The methodtof' treating filamentary material with; liquid comprising continuously passing the material through a generally helical path with each convolution thereof makingcontact with-adjacent convolutionsg. introducing a plurality of liquids into axially spaced portions of the space surrounded by the helix, and rotating the liquids while maintaining them substantially separate within the helix-atsufficien-t' speed. to force them outwardly through the surrounding portions of the helix by centrifugal force.-

JOSEPH A. TRUITT.

REF-EKENG ES CITED The following references are of record; in the file of this patent:

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1. THE METHOD OF TREATING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL WITH LIQUID COMPRISING CONTINUOUSLY PASSING THE MATERIAL THROUGH A GENERALLY HELICAL PATH WITH EACH CONVOLUTION THEREOF MAKING CONTACT WITH ADJACENT CONVOLUTIONS, INTRODUCING A LIQUID INTO THE SPACE SURROUNDED BY THE HELIX, AND ROTATING THE LIQUID WITHIN THE HELIX AT SUFFICIENT SPEED TO FORCE IT OUTWARDLY THROUGH THE HELIX BY CENTRIFUGAL 